Apparatus for lighting interior of buildings



(No Model.) Z'Sheets-Sheetl.

H. N. H. LUGRIN.

APPARATUS POR LIGHTING INTERIOR OI' BUILDINGS.

ANDREW 8 GRAHAM4 PHOTO'LITHUWASHXNGI'DMD C (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. N. HQLUGRIN. APPARATUS FOR'LIGHTING II\T'I'ERIORvl 0F BUILDINGS. v 10,550,376 Patented Nov. 26, 1895.

ANDREW GRAHAM PHUTOUYHO-WASHINGTUX. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

HORATIO N. H. LUGRIN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING INTERIOR OF BUILDINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,376, dated November 26, 1895.

Application led May 8, 1893. Serial No. 473,371. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HoRATro N. H. LUGRIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Vorcester, in the county of TVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful mprovement in Apparatus for Lighting the Interior of Buildings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, and in which- Figure l represents a portion of a building, shown in sectional view in order to disclose the interior and representing a light-shaft embodying my invention in position within the building, the light-shaft being shown in central vertical sectional view. Fig. 2 repre sents a portion of the bent sheet-metal strips forming one of the upright members of the framework of the apparatus, said strip being' represented in perspective view. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus. Fig. #i represents a strip of sheet metal from which one of the upright members of the framework is formed, said strip being represented in its flat or extended position before bending. Fig. 5 represents a portion of the framework, showing a part of one of the upright members, a portion having been broken away. Fig. 6 represents a strip of sheet metal in its flat or extended position, from which one of the transverse or horizontal members of the framework is formed. Fig. 7 represents a strip of sheet metal, shown in its flat or extended position, from which one of the panels is formed. Fig. S represents the back or rear side of one of the metal panels by which the mirrors are supported; and Fig. 9 represents a transverse sectional view of one of' the panels on line 9 9, Fig. 8, the panel being shown upon a larger scale and with a mirror attached to the panel.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the different figures.

My present invention relates to certain iinprovements in the construction of the lightconducting shaft forming the subject of Letters Patent of the United States No. 404,200, granted to me March 2S, 1893.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A represents the vertical wall of the building, A A/ the floors, and A2 the roof, provided with a skylight A3, beneath which is placed a ver tical light-conducting shaft embodying my present invention and consisting of vertical sections of varying diameters, by which light received through the skylight A3 is conducted downward and distributed at the different stories of the building.

The upper section B of the light-shaft is provided at its upper end with a funnelshaped light-receiving section B and at the lower end with a funnel-shaped light-delivering section B2.

Beneath the upper section B is the second section C, provided at its upper end with the flaring or funnel-shaped light-receiving section C and at its lower end with the funnelshaped light-delivering section C2.

Beneath the section C is placed a third section D, with a funnel-shaped light-receiving section D', at its upper end and a funnelshaped light-delivering section D2 at its lower end, beneath which is placed an annular lightreflecting ring D3.

The arrangement of the different sections of the light-shaft, one above the other, is similar to that shown in the patent above referred to; but my present lightshaft possesses certain novel features of construction and are rangement of reflecting-surfaces by which I increase the efficiency of the apparatus and secure a more perfect diffusion of light, 0bviating the formation of shadows from the lightshaft itself, and also preventing the dispro-- portionate illumination of lighted spaces beneath the funnel-shaped delivering-sections of thelight-shaft.

The features of my present con struction, by which I secure a more equable distribution Aof light, consist in forming the contiguous sections of the shaft of varying size, making the upper of two contiguous sections the larger, and by providing the upper end of the lower of the two sections with a flaring or funnel-shaped l1' ght-receiving end, so that the diameter of the flared and open end shall be equal to or slightly greater than the interior diameter of the upper and larger sections of the light-shaft, and making the lower or fiaring end of the upper section of the light-shaft to extend downward below the plane of the light receiving flaring section of the next lower section of the light-shaft. This peculiarity of construction is clearly illustrated IOO cated by the broken lines C3, and the upper I section B is provided at its lower end with a funnel-shaped delivering-section B2, extending bevond the plane indicated by the broken 1 line C, the object of this construction being not merely to increase the area of the receiving end of the section C by means of the. funnelshaped enlargement C', but also to provide a reflecting-surface from which light f may be reflected upon the inner surface of the funnel-shaped section B2 at anangle which will cause it to be again reflected from the inner surface of the funnel-shaped section B2 upon 'and around the section C of the lightshaft, producing a diffusion of light over a larger area and preventing an imperfectlylighte'd annular space around the section C of the light-shaft. In the same manner light is reliected fromk the inside of the funnelshaped section D against the inside of the funnel-shaped section C2 and from the inner side lof the section C2 into the room.

Beneath the funnel-shaped section D2, I place an annular vmirror D3, provided Vwith a central opening D", thro ugh which light passes directly to the apartment below, the opening I)4 being substantially the same diameter as the 'diameterof the section D of the lightshaft. The ring D4 is provided with a reiecting-surface upon its upper side, by which, in connection with the reiiecting-surface upon the under side of the funnel-shaped section D2, light is distributed laterally into the apartment and preventing the formation Aof an unduly-lighted lcircular space directly beneath the `Open end kof the light-shaft. I

In the present light-shaft, in that described in the patent-above referred to, the

interior surfaces of the vertical walls jof the shaft, and also the flaring and funnel-shaped sections, are covered with a light-reflecting substance-such as a glass mirror, polished speculum metal, `or other known material adapted to the purpose. n Y Y Each of the sections of the light-shaft is supported at the iioors of the building by means vof iron posts I, fitting the vspa-ce within the vertical members F of the framework, and provided with feet I, which are attached to the floor.

The postsl hold the sections in an upright position, and by attaching the vertical members F of the framework to the posts I the sections of the light-shaft can be prevented from sliding downward. y Y Y Each of the sections is supported independently'of the vcontiguous sections, and the int'erior of each section is closed byfa transparent partition extending lacross the upper end, as represented at J, Fig. 1,'or preferably by a conical transparent cover, as shown at J Fig. l, extending upward into the interior of the adjacent upper section.

The second part of my invention relates to certain details of construction relating to the framework by which the reflecting-mirrors are held.

The framework of my present light-shaft, like that described in the patentabove referred to, consists of vertical and horizontal bars inclosing a series of openings, within which panels are fastened, presenting upon their inner surfaces a mirror for reflecting light. The framework of the vertical sections B C D, embodying my present invention7 is formed of sheet metal cut into suitable shape and size to form the vertical and horizontal members of the framework, longitudinally bent, as hereinafter described, and locked together, so as to form a rigid framework -adapte-d to receive the mirror-supporting panels. The vertical members of the framework are formed from a strip of sheet metal, preferably galvanized iron, cut the length of the vertical wall-of one of the sections and' preferably about four inches in width, a portion of one 4of these strips being represented 'at E in Fig, 4l i At stated distances in the length I'of the strip, as shown in Fig. 4, 'a series of holes in the form 'of short narrow slits are punched near the 'outer edges, (represented vat a a, Fig. y

4,) the slits being transverse to the sheet-metal strip. Between the slits a a are punched four similar holes jor slits, lying in planes which cross each otherin the center of the sheet-metal strip, forming the loblique slits a a. Midway between the 'series of narrow slits already 'described I form long narrow holes b t, lying parallel with the outeredges of the sheetlmetal strip.

Vhen the sheet-metal strip has been prepared by the formation of the holes above described, it is bent on the broken llines c into the form shown atl F in perspective view in Fig. 2, forming, when bent, Aone of the upright or longitudinal members rof the framework, eight of which, if the shaft is to be octagonal, are placed inproper position, as rep` resented at F F, Fig. 3, and `are united by a 'series of short horizontal members formed of sheet metal cut in the form represented at G in Fig. G, with projecting lugs d d' formed upon the notched 'ends of the sheet-metal strip. The strip G, Fig. G, is then bent on the broken lines c into the form shown in sectional view at Il, Fig.. 5. The notched end of the transverse strip H is placed against the vertical side of the upright strip F, with the lugs cl inserted through the oblique holes or slits a and the lugs d/ through the horizontal holes or slits a. The lugs are then bent over or turned down upon the inside of the vertical strips F, securely attaching the notched ends of the transverse members H to the vertical members FV.v

IOO

IIO

ber coming flush with the apex F of the vertical member and the sides F2 F2 of the vertical members with the sides H2 H2 of the horizontal members form beveled surfaces to receive the beveled edges of the panels represented in transverse sectional view in Fig. 9. Each of the panels held in the rectangular openings of the framework is constructed preferably of galvanized sheet metal, cut in the form shown at K, Fig. 7, and having the edges K bent over on the broken lines f at an acute angle with the body of the panel, so as to form the beveled surfaces K2, fitting the beveled surfaces F2 and H2 of the framework. A metal spider L is attached to the back of the panel, carrying a stud L, upon which is pivoted a latch-bar L2.

When the panel is placed in position within the framework, the latch-bar L2 is rotated on the pivot L', bringing the ends L3 L8 into the holes b in the vertical strips F, thereby locking the panel in position. Around the edge of the panel are projecting lugs g, which are bent over the edge of a mirror M, preferably formed of corrugated glass, which rests upon a piece of felting or semielastic material N,

interposed between the back of the mirror Ml and the face of the metallic panel.

The ends of the sheet-metal strips from which the transverse or horizontal members of the framework are formed are notched at the ends, so that the lines l, 2, and 3 are longer than the lines Il and 5, causing` the horizontal or transverse members to be locked against lateral movement by the upright or vertical members F, the lugs d d, entering the holes a a, serving to hold the horizontal or transverse members of the framework from being moved along the upright or vertical meinbers F.

By the above-described method of construction I secure a framework adapted to hold the mirror-supportin g panels, which is light and extremely rigid, and one that can be manufactured at small expense.

lVhat l claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A tubular light conducting shaft, made in sections, said sections being of varying diameter, with the outer, or uppermost, section the largest, and each successive section being of less diameter than the one immediately preceding it, substantially as described.

2. A light conducting shaft, made in sections, with each section independently supported with the axes of said sections coincident, said sections being of varying diameters, substantially as described.

3. A light conducting shaft, made in sections, the upper of said sections having its lower end funnel-shaped and inclosing the end of the next lower section, and the next lower section having its upper end provided with a funnel-shaped light receiving mouth inclosed within the funnelshaped lower end of said upper section, substantially as described.

4. In a light shaft made in sections, the combination of section B having a flaring, or funnel-shaped lower end B2, section C having its upper end flaring, or funnel-shaped, as at C', said funnel-shaped end B2 extending beyond the plane C3 of the funnel-shaped end C, substantially as described.

5. A light conducting shaft made in sections, each independently supported and in alignment with each other, the interior passage in said sections being closed by transparent partitions extending across the upper ends of said sections, whereby the passage through said sections is closed and the lower ends of said sections left open, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a light conducting shaft open at its lower end and having its lower end funnelshaped, said funnel-shaped end being provided with a reflecting surface, of an annular mirror suspended beneath the funnel-shaped end of said shaft and having its reflecting surface opposing the reflecting surface of the funnel-shaped end of said shaft, substantially as described.

'7. In a light conducting shaft having a framework provided vth openings to receive panels, the panels constructed as herein described and consisting of a sheet metal body having its edges K bent over at an acute angle with the body of said panel so as to form beveled surfaces, lugs g integral with the body of the panel and bent in the opposite direction from the edges K' and the mirror with its edges inclosed by the projecting lug g, subk stantially as described.

8. In alight conducting shaft, the combinaa tion of a series of bent sheet metal strips exA tending lengthwise said shaft and provided with a series of holes, or slits, a, a and aseries of transverse bent metal strips having lugs d, d', inserted in said slits and bent upon the inside of said longitudinal strip, substantially as described.

9. In a light conducting shaft, the combination with a series of reiiecting mirrors, of a frame-work supporting said mirrors, said frame-work consisting of a bent longitudinal strip F, bent to present an apex F and beveled surfaces F2, F2, upon the inside of said shaft, a series of transverse bent sheet metal strips bent to present an apex H', and beveled sul faces upon the inside of said shaft, said transverse and longitudinal strips being locked together, substantially as described.

l0. The combination of the longitudinal strips F and transverse strips H, of a metal panel formed of a sheet metal strip, a spider L attached to said panel, a pivoted latch car ried by said spider and adapted to engage said longitudinal strips, substantially as described.

Dated April 2e, i893.

HORATIO N. lli. LGRIN.

Witnesses STEPHEN C. EARLE, RUFUs B. FOWLER. 

